Acts 13:1
“Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.”
When you go to the store to buy groceries, you usually list the items you are most in need of toward the top of your list. It does not mean that the other items are not equally needed, but that some are needed at this time as very much needed.
In these first chapters of Acts, the name Barnabas always appears in the first position. It would indicate that the Lord had placed him in this position at this time and that because of his spiritual maturity he was acknowledged as leader.
On the list of prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch notice that our good servant Barnabas leads the list and Saul is named last. It does not imply that there was a favoritism shown, but that others had more experience as believers.
These brothers served the church as prophets and teachers. Being a prophet was not necessarily foretelling the future (although it may entail that) it was more so that they were used to forth-telling the reality of God’s holy Word. How would you fit yourself into this picture?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil